Turkey luxury yacht charter
For charterers wishing to expand their horizons towards the eastern Mediterranean, a luxury yacht charter in Turkey offers a bounty of ancient historical sights, spectacular anchorages and a taste of the exotic. Revel in a cultural melting pot in Istanbul, the meeting point of the Aegean, Marmara and Black Seas or enjoy the piercing-blue bays and blonde sands of the Turkish Turquoise Coast in dreamy locations like Bodrum, Marmaris and Fethiye, just a stone's throw from Greek island chains such as the Dodecanese. With a longer, warmer cruising season and fewer crowds, Turkey is the ultimate East meets West charter destination.
Turkey yacht season and weather
The charter season in Turkey runs from late April to October, with shoulder season months of April, May and October still enjoying warm, sunny weather and blissfully quiet cruising grounds.
Summer temperatures average between 26°C and 30°C but can soar well above 30°C during the peak months of July and August. Sea temperatures remain above 20°C from May to November, peaking at 26°C, making it a haven for watersports, snorkelling and scuba diving.
Turkey yacht charter itineraries
Yachts usually depart from Göcek, Bodrum or Marmaris. Göcek has multiple marinas with Skopea Marina accommodating yachts up 110 metres and D Marin Göcek accommodating craft up to 70 metres. Netsel Marmaris Marina has moorings for yachts up to 90 metres. Milta Bodrum Marina has moorings for yachts up to 100 metres.
Cruise 15 nautical miles from bustling Marmaris to the serenity of the Ekincik nature reserve, where clear cyan waters are backed by vertiginous slopes for a tranquil first stop. Take the tender up the Dalyan Çayı River to see the extraordinary Lycian tombs, the mud baths and the ancient ruins at Kaunos before cruising 25 nautical miles to one of Turkey’s most picturesque anchorages at Tersane Island.
A short hop from Tersane, the neighbouring bays around the chic harbour of Göcek offer plentiful heavenly spots to drop the anchor. Charter yachts can moor in Göcek or overnight in the hidden paradise of Yassica Adalari, a necklace of emerald islands that lie off the glittering Göcek coast.
Cove hop around Yassica Adalari before making the 10 nautical mile trip to the traditional town of Fethiye, where the ruins of the ancient city of Telmessos await. Fethiye’s Ece Marina can accommodate yachts up to 60 metres. The famous sapphire lagoon of Olu Deniz lies 15 nautical miles south and is framed by vertiginous mountains. The trendy, bougainvillaea-clad fishing harbour of Kalkan and historic Kas lie further south.
Alternatively, culture lovers may want to begin in the north at Kuşadası Setur Marina (moorings up to 90 metres), where Ephesus and the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the world are both nearby. From there, make the 100 nautical mile overnight passage to Didim’s long sandy beaches and the nearby ruins of the Temple of Apollo. D Marin Didim offers berths up to 70 metres.
For a change of pace, the upmarket town of Türkbükü, synonymous with Turkish elite and celebrities, lies 20 nautical miles across the azure gulf. There is no dockage in the town so you can either anchor out or you can leave your yacht at the nearby Yalikavak Marina (moorings up to 140 metres). Departing Türkbükü, charterers can explore the Turkish Riviera, cruising 30 nautical miles to fun-filled Bodrum and on to the secluded coves of Datça, the Greek island of Symi, and the dive sites and cruising havens of Fethiye, Göcek and Olu Deniz.
Getting to Turkey
Commercial airlines and private jets operate from Izmir, Antalya, Dalaman and Milas-Bodrum airports. Göcek is a 25-minute drive from Dalaman airport.
Charters may use Turkey as a jumping-off point to explore the Dodecanese and the south-eastern Aegean.
Legal requirements
When arriving in or leaving Turkey, yachts must report to an official port of entry. These include Bodrum, Marmaris, Datca, Fethiye and Kas.
Yachts entering Turkish waters for the first time must also fly a Q flag and a Turkish courtesy flag.